Can I jog with my Bernedoodle?
Can I jog with my Bernedoodle? The straight and simple answer to this question is yes! The real question, however, is should you jog with your Bernedoodle?
If you’re into fitness, trying to get into fitness or just enjoy going for a brisk walk to get some fresh air, you may be wanting to take your furry friend with you. But should you? To answer that question, let’s take a look at the pedigree of a Bernedoodle.
A Bernedoodle is bred from a Poodle and a Bernese Mountain Dog. Poodles have moderate to high energy while Bernese Mountain Dogs, who are calm and mild mannered, do have a lot of energy and would be up for the challenge of running. Therefore, we can assume that the Bernedoodle breed would be willing to go for a jog. That said, there are still a number of considerations to make before you decide to take your Bernedoodle on a jog with you.
Considerations:
- Weather: Can I jog with my Bernedoodle in certain weather conditions? While you’ll be able to dress appropriately for your run, your Bernedoodle is stuck with his or her coat. It’s probably not a great idea to bring your Berne Doodle for a jog if it’s very warm and muggy out. Similarly, if it’s really cold, you may want to consider leaving your pup at home. Although Bernedoodles enjoy the cooler/colder weather, you still need to be wary of their paw pads and the surface they’ll be running on. That brings us to the next consideration
- Can I jog with my Bernedoodle if the running surface is too hot or cold? The surface you plan to run on: Consider the surface you plan to run on before you decide to bring your Bernedoodle for a jog. Black top surfaces in the hot summer may be too hot for your Bernedoodle to run on. Similarly if it’s the winter and the ground is too cold, it could cause discomfort to your Bernedoodle. Before going for a run, put the back of your hand on the surface you plan to run on. If you can leave your hand on the surface without pain for 10 seconds, it’s probably safe for your pup to run on. One other consideration is the hardness of the surface. A surface softer (think of a track and field track) is better for your pup to run on than a surface that’s harder like asphalt or concrete.
- Can I jog with my Bernedoodle far and fast? The distance and speed you plan to run: A jog implies a leisurely to moderate pace. This should be just fine for your Bernedoodle, but you’re probably not going to want to jog any more than 3 to 5 miles. Going at high intensity for a prolonged period of time may also be too much for your Bernedoodle.
- Can I jog with my Bernedoodle if they’re very young or very old? Your Bernedoodle’s age – You won’t want to go on a jog when your Bernedoodle is younger than 8 to 10 months old as your puppy’s body is still developing and maturing. Similarly, if your puppy is getting up there in age, you’ll want to be extra cautious of taking your Berne Doodle on a jog to avoid any unnecessary stress or injury.
Just remember, not all Bernedoodles are the same, with each of them having their own unique personalities. Some may love going for a jog with you while others may be less inclined. Similarly, some days may be better than others just like there’s some days we as humans aren’t feeling like going for a jog. Even with the considerations above, your Bernedoodle may still not be on board for a jog, so make sure you have patience.
I can tell you with Cooper, he enjoys going for rather brisk walks. We haven’t tried to jog or run with him, but he does very well with walks… to a point. Once we get to the two mile mark, he’s pretty much over it. His place slows down and sometimes he’ll even sit down. At that point, I’m not beyond picking his furry butt up and carrying him home! But we don’t let it get to that point anymore, now that we understand his breaking point.
Final Thoughts
So can I jog with my Bernedoodle? You most certainly can, but make sure you consider the weather, running surface, distance/speed, and your puppy’s age. It will take some trial and error to see what he or she can tolerate, but as long as you have some patience and listen to your puppy, you both will have a stress-free time on your jog. Happy running!
